Lake Wilcox History:Lake Wilcox is, perhaps, the real gem of Richmond Hill. Nestled in the north end of the Town, this kettle lake, lies on the east side of Yonge Street. As well as being an ecologically important feature of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Lake Wilcox is, also, a community. Often associated with the Oak Ridges neighbourhood, this diverse community of real estate, homes and cultures was virtually hidden until the early 1980's. Until then, many people in the lower part of Richmond Hill were unaware that it was, actually, part of the Town. Early maps and surveys referred to Wilcock's Lake, not Lake Wilcox. The actual lake has a surface area of about 137 acres and about 55 feet at the deepest part. The dam on the channel (East Humber River tributary) leading out of the lake controls the water level for fish to spawn in the spring and for the prevention of lakefront erosion.

Wycliffe Estates Homes

Lake Wilcox: Transformation

Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox

Richmond Hill, York Region

The introduction of the sanitary sewer system around Lake Wilcox in 1985 began a change from quiet hamlet to an area of greater prosperity for the local residents.

At present, the Town of Richmond Hill is working on construction of the 56,000 square foot Oak Ridges Community Centre at the east end of Lake Wilcox, and the new Waterfront Park/Lake Wilcox Shoreline Restoration Project at the site of the old Sunset Beach Park.

Fontainbleu Luxury Homes

Lake Wilcox Neighbourhood Amenities

Lake Wilcox is home to float planes, northern pike, large mouth bass, windsurfing, swimming, the pike spawning grounds at the west end of the lake, and a history that includes an Iroquoian Indian settlement, an inebriated Santa Clause tipping over his sleigh at Bayview Avenue and North Lake Road on Christmas Eve, elaborate functions by the Elmwood Park Residents Association, a bag of handguns mysteriously dumped in the lake, the Lake Wilcox Post Office and nights so quiet, not a voice or vehicle could be heard after 10:00 p.m.

Sunset Beach Park

Lake Wilcox, June 16, 2016

Lake Wilcox Real Estate:Cottage and vacation properties were prominent real estate holdings until the sewers came and newer home construction was allowed. The north side of the lake was made up of many smaller lots with 25 and 30 foot frontages, whereas the south side along Sunset Beach Road from Yonge Street to Bayview Avenue consisted of larger properties with frontages of 75 and 100 feet and depths up to 550 feet.

Lake Wilcox Townhomes Townhouses

Lake Wilcox Homes

Lot frontages of 40 and 50 feet are now common with upscale new single family detached homes being built, as well as the much sought-after townhouses for first-time home buyers.

All new development has been planned with careful regard to the environment and the Oak Ridges Moraine. Stricter governmental controls and planning policies by the Town of Richmond Hill ensure that Wilcox Lake will be special for all home buyers and sellers.

References:

Stamp, R. M., Early Days in Richmond Hill, A History of the Community to 1930, Richmond Hill Public Library Board, 1991.

Robinson, M. B. and Clark, J. M., Later Days in Richmond Hill, a history of the community from 1930 to 1999, Town of Richmond Hill / Richmond Hill Public Library Board, 1999.

Oak Ridges Friends of the Environment.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Oak Ridges Fair 2016

Lake Wilcox Park Richmond Hill

Price Range of Homes at Lake Wilcox: 2012

Type

From:

To:

Detached Homes

$250,000

$3.5 million

Semis

$365,000

$450,000

Townhouses

$340,000

$450,000

Vacant Land

$240,000

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Schools at Lake Wilcox:

Type

Name

Website

Ranking

Elementary

Bond Lake P.S.

Unranked

Elementary

Lake Wilcox P.S.

Elementary

Windham Ridge P.S.

Unranked

Secondary

Richmond Green S. S.

Elementary

Father Frederick McGinn C.E.S.

Elementary

Our Lady of the Annunciation C.E.S.

Secondary

Cardinal Carter C.H.S.

Lake Wilcox Oak Ridges Daycares

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